“SPOTLIGHT ON”
Concerned Citizens enjoy a State of the City Report by
Sunny Isles Beach City Manager Christopher Russo
By Luz Urbaez Weinberg

Concerned Citizens President Irving Diamond was proud to lead the program of the November 2004 luncheon, for the City Manager was presenting to the group on key areas of concern. Regular luncheon invocator and City Historian, Richard Schulman led the group through an inspiring prayer that asked for the safety of our troops overseas and for continued blessings through the Holidays. Diamond extended a special appreciation to luncheon sponsors Joseph Milton and Yosi Gil, and recognized city and county officials in the audience.

Sunny Isles Police Department Officer of the Month was a double-hitter for November. The police department recognized two outstanding members of the force, Sgt. Robert “Bobby” Randazzo and Officer Joseph Alvarez, for the bravery and wit displayed during a recent yacht fire that endangered property and life on the marina. Their heroic actions earned them a nomination for the Miami-Dade Fire Department’s prestigious “Life and Property Saving Award.” The dynamic duo also received numerous letters of thanks and commendations from different agencies for their actions. Steve Lesnick presented a check to the Officers of the Month on behalf of Midtown Towing and the Citizens Public Safety Advisory Committed of Sunny Isles Beach. Randazzo and Alvarez both received the David Sampson Award for “Outstanding and dedicated service to the department and the community.”

It was then time for the State of the City report by City Manager Christopher Russo, a graduate of Pace University, New York where he earned a Bachelors and Master Degree in Public Administration. Russo, who was named City Manager in August 2000, first thanked the group for the invitation to report on the State of the City. He delighted guests with a visual presentation that touched on key issues of concern for Sunny citizens.

Basic information:
The presentation began with what Russo referred to as “Basic Information,” including the City’s boundaries and population numbers, which currently stand at 16,000.00 year-round with an additional 8,000.00 in-season. The tax base remains at $3.35 per $1,000.00 of which $2.65 pays for the entire operation of City government. Russo noted that the $0.70 increase of two years ago was exclusively for capital improvements and beautification project. The assessed value was $1.2B in 1997, is now $3.6B, “and is expected to arrive at the $6.0B range when development is completed,” said Russo. Revenue streams have also increased to over 2.2M based on the growth in the community. Revenue from business taxes remains relatively flat.

Government:
Sunny Isles Beach operates under a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and four commissioners are elected by the people and representative of each district. The City Manager serves as the chief administrator officer of the City. “My responsibility is pretty much seeing that the procedures adopted by the commission are carried out properly,” said Russo.

Completed and current projects in past four years:
Russo reported the drainage and storm water has topped the list in this category, followed by beautification, landscaping, parks, beach access, transportation and traffic, and the FPL substation with the development of the Government Center being the centerpiece of projects.

Over $2M have been spent on landscaping and beautification of the Collins Avenue Corridor, with new City entrance signs going up and street state furniture. The new, sophisticated, fiber-optic lighting City signs, which cost over $200,000.00 are in place on North and South end of Collins, but are not yet synchronized. Numerous beautiful palm trees line the streets, and new decorative street lights have been installed.

The new Government Center is a 58,000 sq. ft. facility that will house a branch of the Miami-Dade County Library and a satellite office of the U.S.P.S. Development included the Tony Romas Restaurant site, which the City owns.

Parks:
Improvements to Samson Oceanfront Park include lighting, additional palm trees, new pavilion furniture and updates to the bathrooms. The cost has run about $200,000.00, and improvements should be completed by year’s end. The playing field on Gwen Margolis Park is being replaced, and about $6M is being spent on updating the entire drainage system. Golden Shores Park has doubled in size past two years, and is expected to quadruple to make a community park. Pier Park will be completed after the La Perla Condominium Park is finished. The parking lot will remain public with the same number of parking spaces and an attendant.

Beach access:
When all are completed, the City will have an incredible 21 Beach access points. The 159th St. Beach Access, a courtesy from Turnberry Ocean Colony, has a shower facility. The Sonesta Beach Access on 179th Street will soon have a lifeguard stand. The newer, more modern 188th Street beach access is wider and beautiful. Bathrooms were recently completed at the Ocean Two Beach access, on the north end of 192nd Street. The Ellen Windy Beach access is worth mentioning, said Russo, because it has the theme of a sign that will be used for all 21 beach access points. The beginning of 2005 will see five different lifeguard stands of which four will be occupied immediately.

Traffic and Transportation:
The three state-of-the-art community shuttle buses operate seven days a week. The City is spending about $300,000.00 on the Collins Avenue paving project. A great reward is the construction of the FPL Substation, which will be built on the City’s old government building site; land that is owned by the City. A lucrative arrangement was made with FPL for the sale of the site, which included a commitment from FPL to underground distribution wires for that area.

Next Concerned Citizens Luncheon will take place on Monday, December 27, 2004. Concerned Citizens wishes all Sunny Islers a wonderful, peaceful and safe Holiday Season!

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